Baked Mexican Chayote Squash Recipes

BAKED CHAYOTE SQUASH

Steps:

• Place the chayote into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until very tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two.
• Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Remove the seed and seed membrane from the chayote using a spoon; discard. Scoop out as much of the remaining pulp as possible into a bowl without puncturing the shell. Pat the shell dry with a paper towel and place in a baking dish; set aside. Squeeze the excess water from the reserved pulp. Stir in the butter, egg, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons Cheddar cheese until well-blended. Fill each of the chayote shells with the pulp/cheese mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese on top, followed by the bread crumbs.
• Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and the cheese has melted, 35 to 45 minutes.

STUFFED CHAYOTE SQUASH

Steps:

• Slice chayotes in half. Boil in salted water for about 30 minutes. Scoop out seeds and discard. Scoop out flesh and mix with all other ingredients except cheese. Saute with olive oil. Stuff Sauteed vegetables in squash halves, then bake in 325 degree F oven for about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.

CHAYOTE SQUASH SIDE DISH

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add garlic, squash, salt, pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Stir together and cook 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add vinegar to the squash mixture and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer, until the squash is slightly wilted, but still firm and crunchy. Taste, and add more salt or sugar if needed.

ROASTED CHAYOTES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F with racks in upper and lower thirds.
• Wearing protective gloves, halve chayotes lengthwise and discard seeds. Peel, then cut lengthwise into 1-inch wedges. Toss with oil and 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Divide between 2 large 4-sided sheet pans.
• Roast 45 minutes. Divide garlic between pans, then continue to roast, turning occasionally, until chayotes are golden brown on edges, about 10 - 15 minutes more. Season with salt.
• Cooks' note:
• Chayotes can be roasted 5 hours ahead and kept, loosely covered with foil, at room temperature. Reheat in a preheated 350°F oven (about 15 minutes).